Sleep Like an Egyptian: The 6 Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets

Sheets are just sheets… until you’ve slept in the best of the best. Egyptian cotton sheets are famous for creating a luxury sleeping experience, but they can get pricey — plus, the label “Egyptian cotton” doesn’t always mean high quality.

If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you could end up sleeping on something rough and heat-trapping (aka not restful at all). We’re here to help you choose the best Egyptian cotton sheets to top your bed that won’t break the bank.

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No single feature — like country of origin — can guarantee you a quality set of sheets, but Egypt is well-known for its long- and extra-long-staple cotton, so we looked for sheet sets that were 100 percent Egyptian cotton. We also considered a few other important factors:

• OEKO-TEX certified manufacturers. We made sure our picks live up to the industry standard for producing textiles without harmful ingredients.
• Thread count. This can range from 200 to 1,000 threads per square inch, and generally high thread counts are considered higher quality. You might prefer a lower thread count depending on your personal taste (and touch) though, so it’s best to give it the feel test before you pay the big bucks.
• Finish. Some people prefer a sateen weave for silky luxury, but others like the crisp feel of a percale or Italian weave — so we made sure to include options of all types.
• Price. You could spend thousands on bedding if that’s your jam, but if you’re picking from this list you won’t have to. We looked for quality sheets under $100 because everyone deserves a little luxury.

Best overall Egyptian cotton sheets

Thread Spread True Luxury sheets

• Price: $$$
• Thread count: 1,000

This sheet set has a lot going for it. Not only is it made from 100 percent long-staple Egyptian cotton, it’s a sateen weave (sheet-speak for “smooth”), comes in 23 colors, and fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep.

Thread Spread True Luxury sheets are also certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, which means it’s free from harmful substances.

Lots of satisfied sound sleepers say these sheets live up to the hype. Reviewers say they’re soft, breathable, and durable. But a few folks claim they’re sensitive to wrinkling.

Best Egyptian cotton sheets for your budget

Thread Spread 600-Thread-Count sheets

• Price: $$
• Thread count: 600

At a lower price point, these sheets compare pretty well with our overall pick. By sheet standards, 600-thread-count (aka the number of threads in a square inch of fabric) is still pretty high. This set also fits a deep mattress, has a sateen weave, and is made from long-staple combed Egyptian cotton.

Comfy, lightweight, and smooth, customers say these sheets really are a bomb bang for your buck. But some say the sizing doesn’t match their mattress.

Best luxury Egyptian cotton sheets

Comfy Sheets 100% Egyptian cotton sheets

• Price: $$$
• Thread count: 1,000

Maybe you’ve stayed in a 4- or 5-star hotel and wondered what makes their sheets so dang luxurious? With this set, you can get that luxury at home, dahling.

The Comfy Sheets Egyptian cotton sheets boast a super-high thread count and deep pockets, ideal for your personal napping throne. These sheets also come in 21 color options for those who like to keep it classic white or add a little spice.✨

Some customers claim these sheets are on the thin side. But overall, the reviews are top-notch. On top of being called “hotel quality,” folks also say they’re cooling AF.

Best Egyptian cotton sheets for thick mattresses

Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian cotton sheets

• Price: $$
• Thread count: 800

If you have a thick mattress, a pillow top, or use a mattress topper, you’ll appreciate the 18-inch deep fitted sheet. You don’t want those corners popping off in the middle of your beauty sleep, after all. This set also comes in lots of colors and has a 30-day full refund policy.

Happy reviewers say they’re an amazing value for the price. But some say the dye from colored sheets leaks in the wash, so always make sure you wash them separately if you buy ’em.

Best Egyptian cotton sheets for color selection

Bishop 100% Egyptian cotton sheets

• Price: $$
• Thread count: 800

With 16 options, the range of colors available isn’t the most on our list, but the colors pop. From aqua and teal to sky and blush, this sheet set gives you bolder and brighter options than most. They’re still 100 percent Egyptian cotton and fit mattresses up to 15 to 17 inches deep.

Reviewers say these sheets are silky smooth. But you def need to wash them before use — a couple customers say they smelled a bit funky when they first opened them. (Good practice to wash any new bedding before you use it anyway!)

Best high thread count

Bluemoon Homes 100% Egyptian cotton sheets

• Price: $$$
• Thread count: 1,000

How do you like this for international luxury? The cotton is grown in Egypt, the sheets are made in India (in a Standard 100 OEKO-TEX certified factory), and they have an “Italian finish.”

These sheets get around. The Italian finish just means they’re woven to give you a feel that’s more crisp than the shiny sateen finish.

Customers love that these soft, silky sheets come in 10 different colors. But some reviewers did say they’re only ideal for extra-deep mattresses.

Here are the most important things to consider as you shop:

Make sure it’s legit

Egypt is famous for cotton that has extra-long fibers. It creates a thread that’s soft and strong. But not all Egyptian cotton is created equally. Cotton grown in Egypt can also be of the shorter fiber and low quality variety (and TBH, that goes for cotton grown anywhere).

The only way to 10/10 know your sheets are legit is to look for a Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) stamp of approval. You should also look for words like “long staple” or “extra-long staple” on the product description. And when in doubt, always read the product reviews to learn more about what customers think.

FYI: Egyptian cotton isn’t the only extra-long staple cotton out there. Supima (or pima cotton) is the brand name for extra-long staple cotton grown in the United States.

Thread count

Thread count is the measurement of how many horizontal and vertical threads are in 1 square inch of fabric. Lots of folks think the higher the thread count, the better the sheets. But that’s not always the case and some sheets with high thread counts might not be the highest quality.

If you see really high thread counts (over 1,000), make sure the brand is well-known for creating quality products. Some companies might inflate the thread count by using double-ply thread instead of single-ply.

As a general rule of thumb, anything between 200 and 1,000 should work great — but 600 is usually the sweet spot for balancing quality and price.

Weave

Egyptian cotton sheets comes in four main weave styles that you can choose from:

• Twill. The diagonal weave creates a warmer, cozy feel. So this might be your best bet in colder months.
• Percale. This basic one-over, one-under weave has a matte finish. It’s very breathable and perf for warmer weather.
• Sateen. This is a three-over and one-under pattern. They have a slight sheen and tend to be very soft.
• Pinpoint. This tends to be a two-thread-over and one-thread-under basketweave. They are super-duper durable but might not be as soft as other weaves.

Ease of care

You need to handle Egyptian cotton with care. But if you follow the rules, your bedding can really go the distance. Make sure you check the care instructions before buying to see if they jibe with how much effort you’re willing to put in. Some brands might have stricter requirements than others.

Egyptian cotton is famous for a reason — as long as you’re careful about buying long- or extra-long-staple cotton. They’re known for their super high quality feel that’s more resistant to pilling than other types of cotton. This means your sheets should stay silky smooth for years and years. Peeps also love the natural, breathable feel of the fabric.

Still not sure if Egyptian cotton sheets are for you? Here’s a pros and cons list to help you decide.

Here’s answers to common cotton questions.

How much should I pay for Egyptian cotton sheets?

It depends on the brand and the thread count. Egyptian cotton sheets can cost more than $500. But it’s also possible to get an authentic set for about $75. Anything less than that might not be for real unless you catch a super good deal.

How do I care for Egyptian cotton sheets?

Egyptian cotton can be a bit of a diva so it needs a little TLC when it comes to washing. Here are some tips to keep your sheets on fleek:

• Wash on its own. This reduces the risk of tears or stains.
• Set the cycle to low. A gentle wash cycle and cold water can prevent shrinkage.
• Use a gentle laundry detergent. Harsh chemicals can damage the cotton fibers.
• Dry with care. Avoid fabric softener sheets and set your dryer to cool. You can also hang them to dry which is more eco-friendly.

PSA: A natural product like cotton sheets may be stiff at first. But don’t worry! They should soften after you wash them a few times.

Egyptian cotton sheets have a reputation for being among the best quality you can buy. But it’s not enough just to look for sheets made of cotton grown in Egypt. You should also consider the quality of that cotton, and other features like finish and price to find the perfect Egyptian cotton sheets for you.